Massaging implement



July 22, 1924. 1,502,440

H. F. ROBERT MAssAGING IMPLlEzMEMTv Filed June 11o 1922 Figi 3 sa Fig 33 37 3.4l

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` Herbe F. RoberT Ays Patented July 22, 1924.

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hwZAta PATENT FFCE.,

HERBERT F. ROBERT, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSAGING IMPLEMENT.

Application med June 1o, i922. serial No. 567,'274.

the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing/is a specificaion, like characters on thedrawing representing like'parts.

This invention relates to massaging implements and has for one of its 'objects to provide a `massaging implement having a cup-shaped member adapted to be placed against the body and in which the massaging action is produced by developing suction and pressure alternately within said cup-shaped member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massaging imple-ment in which the cup-shaped member has a flexible back together with means Jfor moving the back toward and from the rim thereby to develop the alternate suction and pressure.

Still another object .of the invention is to to provide an improve-d means for automatically producing this vibrating movement of the back of thev cup-shaped member.

' Still another obj ect of the invention is to provide an improved implement which is easy to handle and manipulate and which can be inexpensively made and otherwise to improve massaging implements all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated in theI drawings selected embodiment thereof which wiil now be described after which the novel feaA tures will be pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view ofl a massaging implement embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view showing the partsy in different position.

Fig. 3 is asection on the line 3--3, Fig. 1.

My improved implement comprises a cupshaped member 1 having a rim 2 adaptedv to be placed against the body, together with means for producing alternately suction and pressure within Ysaid cup-shaped body so that the iesh enclosed within the rlm 2 will be thus subjected alternately to the action of suction and pressure. This is herein provided for by making the back 8 of the cup-shaped member of iexible material and providing means for vibrating said back, the forwardl movement of the back into the position shown in Fig. 2 producing pressure within the cup-shaped member and forcing some of the air out of it, and the movement oi the back into the position shown in Fig. l producing a suction within the cup-shaped member. Y

I have provided herein'a simple means for automatically giving the back 3 its vibrating movement with a relatively slow motion. The back 3 is so constructed that while it can give into the position shown in Fig. 2, yet it will normally assume the posi-` tion shown in Fig. l.

The present invention comprehends means for producing a pressureon the back 3 to push it forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2 and then to relieve the Vpressure so that the natural resiliency of the back 3 will restore it into the position shown in Fig. l.

In the present embodiment the bellshaped or cup-shaped member l is formed on a head 4L which is provided with a suitable handle 5 by. which it may be manipulated. This head 4 is divided by the partition 6 into two chambers 7 and 8, which communicate through a port 9 that is normally closed by a valve 10. An inlet pipe ll communicates with theV chamber 8 and a discharge pipe l2 communicates with the chamber 7. This communication can conveniently be provided by two ducts 13 and ,14 formed in the handle 5, the pipes l1 and l2 being attached to the end of the handle, and communicating with the ducts, said ducts leading into thechambers.

-As stated above the valve l0 normally closes they port 9 and, therefore, if Huid under pressure is admitted to the chamber 8, pressure will be built up in said chamber which will-act against the back 3 ofthe. cup-shapedcmember and force the latter forwardly into the position shown in Fig 2.

vMeans are provided whereby when the back 3 is thus forced forwardly the valve l0 will be automatically opened thus allowing the fluid in the chamber 8 to be discharged through the chamber 7 and discharge pipe l2. Vhile various devices for accomplishing this may be employed yet that which'is herein shown is deemed to be simple and elioient. The back 3 of the cupllO shaped `member has a stem 15 connected thereto, which stem extends through and is slidably sustained in a bushing or support 16 carried by the partition 6. This stem is slotted as shown at 17 and a guiding pin 18 operates in the slot, this pin being for the purpose of preventing the stem from turning about its axis.

The partition 6 has secured thereto. and

Yextending therefrom two wings 19, said wings being situated on opposite sides of the stem. The valve 1() is carried by a plate 2O which has twotrunnions 21 that are journalled in the two Wings 19. Said valve is, therefore, pivotally supported in the wings and can move toward and from the partition 6.V

22 indicates a stop which limits the opening movement of the valve.

The valve 10 is acted on by a springdevice which is so constructed that in one position it tends to hold the valve seated and in another position it tends to open the valve. This spring device is shown as comprising two springs 23, which are connected at their upper ends to arms 24 extending'from the j plate 2O andat their lower ends are connected to arms 25 extending from a trip plate 26 that is situated beneath the stem '15 and is provided with trunnions 27 that are journalled in the two plates 19. The lower end of the trip plate can move between two stop projections 28, 29 carried by an arm 30 extending from the partition 6 and when the trip plate is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the springs 23 are Vpositioned so as to hold the valve 1() to its seat while when thetrip-plate is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the springs 23 `are in a position to open the valve 10. The shifting of the trip plate from one position to the other is accomplished by the stem 15 and 'for this purpose'the latter has two projections 31, 32depending therefrom and situated on opposite sides of the plate 26.

The operationl of the device is a-s follows :4

Assuming the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the valve 10 closed the admission of fluid under pressure to the chamber 8 will build up a pressure therein which will act against the flexible diaphragm- 3 and force the latter 'forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2 thus YeX- pelli'ng part ofthe air from within the cupshaped member 1. V`As `the diaphragm 3 moves forwardly the stem k15 will be carried withit and the Ystop 31 will be brought against the plateY 26. This will .serve to swing the plate 26 about its trunnions 27 thereby swinging the lower `end ofY the lsprings 23 forwardly and as soon as the plate 26 iscarried-past a vertical position then the contraction of the springs will give the plate a quick movement into the position shown in Fig. 2 and against the stop 29.

The springs are now situated to pull the valve 10 open and as soon as said valve is and the natural resiliency of the diaphragm 3 will restore it to the position shown in Fig. 1 thus producing the suction within the cup-shaped member 1. The backward movement of the stem which occurs as the diaphragm 3 is restored to its normal position, brings the stop 31 against the plate 26 and swings the plate backwardly into the position shown in Fig. 1. As soon as this occurs Vthe valve 10 willV be automatically seated by Vthe action of the springs 23 and the abovedescribed operations may then .be repeated.

In using the device the fluid under presn sure may be allowed to flow continuously into the chamber 8 and when this is done a pressure will be built up in said chamber until the valve 10 is opened, as above described at which time the pressure will vbe reduced,

and the parts will be automatically restored to the position shown in Fig. 1. As soon as f the valve 10 is closed again then a pressure will be developed again in the chamber 8 and the above-described cycle of operations will be repeated. ThisY movement of the diaphragm 3 will be at a moderate rate of speed thereby producing the most beneficial results by the alterna-te action of suction and pressure developed within the bell-shaped member 1.

The walls of the Ybell-shaped member 1 may be madesomewhat resilient if desired so that the rim 2 will readily conform itself to different portions of the body. The head `4 can be constructed in various ways .without departing `from the invention. :T have herein shown it as formed in two sections I,

33, 34, the section 34 having an annular lip 35 adapted to be received in a groove 36 formed in the section 33. The joint between the two sections 33, 34 is encircled bv a hoop 'or band 37. The sections 33, 34 may be made of rubber molded to the desiredshape and where this material is used the sections V33, 34 Vwill be of sufcient resiliency to entition 6 in place. The handle 5 is shown as made separately from Vthe head ,4 and it may be cemented or otherwisesecured to the head after the latter has been assembled.

While I have illustrated herein aselected embodiment of the invention I do not wish to be limited to the constructional details shown.

I claim. l. In a massaging implement, the combination with a flexible cup-shaped member having a rim adapted to be placed against' the body, of means connected to said member for developing suction and pressure alternately within said member.

2. In a massaging implement, the combination with a cup-shaped member having a rim adapted to be placed against the body and having a flexible end, of means connected to said end for moving said end alternately toward and from the rim whereby pressure and suction are alternately produced within said chamber.

3. In a massaging implement, the combination with a cup-shaped member having a rim adapted to be placed' against the body, of means connected to said member for automatically developing suction and pressure alternately within said member. i

t. In a massaging implement, the combination with a cup-shaped member having a rim adapted to be placed against the body and also having a flexible end, of means connected to said end for operating automatically to move said end alternately toward and from the rim.

5. In a massaging implement, the combination with a head having an open chamber and an enclosed chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm, the open chamber presenting a rim adapted to rest against the body, means to admit iiuid under pressure to said enclosed chamber thereby to force the diaphragm forwardly, and means for periodically relieving such pressure.

6. In a massaging implement, the combination with a head having an open chamber and an enclosed chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm, the open chamber pre senting a rim adapted to rest against the boc y, means to admit Huid under pressure to said enclosed chamber thereby to force the diaphragm forwardly, and means operated bythe movement of the diaphragm to relieve the pressure periodically.

7. In a massaging implement, the combination with a head having an enclosed chamber and an open chamber separated by a resilient diaphragm which has a constant tendency to assume a normal position of rest, means for admitting fluid under pressure to the enclosed chamber thereby to force the diaphragm forwardly, and means operated by the movement of the diaphragm to periodically relieve the pressure in the enclosed chamber whereby the resiliency of the diaphragm brings it back to its normal position.

8. In a massaging implement, the combi# nation with a head having an enclosed cham'- -ber and an open chamber separated by a resilient diaphragm which has a constant tendency to assume a normal position of rest, means for admitting fluid under pressure to the enclosed chamber thereby to force the diaphragm forwardly, and means operated by the return of the diaphragm to normal position to again cause pressure to be built up in the enclosed chamber.

9. In a massaging implement, the combinationv with a head having an enclosed chamber and an open chamber separated by a diaphragm, the open chamber having an annular lip to rest against the body, said enclosed chamber having a discharge port, a valve for said discharge port, means to admit fluid under pressure to said chamber whereby pressure is developed therein which moves the diaphragm forwardly, and means operated by such movement of the diaphragm to open the valve for the discharge port.

l0. In a massaging implement, the combination with a head having an enclosed chamber and an open chamber separated by a diaphragm, the open chamber having an annular lip to rest against the body, said enclosed chamber having a discharge port, a valve for said discharge port, means to admit iuid under pressure to said chamber whereby pressure is developed therein which moves the diaphragm forwardly, means operated by such movement of the diaphragm to open the valve for the discharge port, said diaphragm being constructed so that it will return to its normal position by its own resiliency when vthe pressure in the enclosed chamber is relieved, and means operated by such return to close the valve for the discharge port.

11. In a massaging implement, the combination with a head having an open chamber and an enclosed chamber separated by a flexible diaphragm, the open chamber presenting a rim adapted to rest against the body, of means to admit iiuid under pressure to said enclosed chamber to force the diaphragm forwardly, and means connected to the diaphragm and operated by the movement. thereof to relieve the pressure periodically.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HERBERT F. ROBERT. 

